Statistics of Executive Burnout and Derailment

Posted on 1 Mar 2014

It’s important not to underestimate the number of people who succumb to executive burnout and derailment in their career. The reason why this is so important and critical to any major business is that executives are the core of the company, they are the leadership and without them, without them functioning at one hundred percent of their ability, the business as a whole, from the top all the way down to the bottom run employees, suffer.

It’s not about ‘sucking it up’ and ‘dealing’ with issues that many of these executives face, but understanding that executive burnout and derailment is a real problem in corporate America, and in businesses around the world. There’s no easy solution, no quick fix to executive burnout, but there are steps that a company can take to ensure that their executives, the cream of the proverbial crop, don’t become part of another statistic.

The numbers are disconcerting, to say the least

When looking at executive burnout or derailment, the numbers should cause any board member, executive, CEO, or other interested party to pause. Over 60% of individuals in what are considered executive positions reported feelings of high stress and anxiety on a regular basis. More than 75% of executives in non-profit organizations claimed that they couldn’t see themselves in the same job in five years.

But the numbers of people who leave their positions are not the entire story when it comes to executive burnout and stress. The full story comes from sick days taken for psychological stress-related excuses and health care costs. The average executive’s health costs are 50% higher than middle management.

This isn’t the cost for them to purchase the health insurance, but actually requiring medical attention. 50% higher costs for health related illnesses for executives over other level employees. Of course, many executives also happen to be older than their lower management counterparts.

More than 60% or work absences last year alone in the United States were attributed to psychological stress and other related issues. This costs the industry in America more than $57 billion per year. In Japan, there were over ten thousand (10,000) reported deaths as a result of overworked and stressed executives. The numbers are absolutely staggering.

Executive stress and burnout simply does not have to occur in the manner that it does. These executives are not being overly sensitive. The climate of modern business has changed in the past twenty years. It is no longer a local, regional, or even national marketplace, but a global economy and decisions that are made today can affect the business tomorrow. Global competition puts an incredible amount of pressure on executives. This is what pushed them to suffer from executive burnout and derailment.

What does executive burnout and derailment cost a company?

Any time that a business has to train a new individual in a highly sensitive position, such as an executive position, the cost can be enormous for them. Decisions are slower, the workload for other executives surrounding that new hire is greater, and the time it takes for the business to adjust longer. This can lead to decreased earnings, lower revenue, and a drop off in customer satisfaction, among other factors.

The real world numbers of this phenomenon are difficult to measure as companies guard their figures carefully. But anyone within the business community will understand the implications and the impact it will have on the bottom line.

Is there a solution to executive burnout and stress?

The common question that businesses have about executive burnout and stress is whether there is a solution, is it any easy one, and what does it cost? The answer is yes, there is a solution, it’s not always an easy one, and the cost is far less than dealing with high health costs, lost days at work, or even finding a new person to fill the executive position.

Dr. Fleming has been helping executives for years overcome their stress, lead healthy lives, and manage the challenges of being an executive. His programs and solutions have benefited some of the most influential executive minds in the nation, and around the world, lowered costs for companies in the long-run, and also provided a much more sound working environment that saves money.

Dr. Fleming’s solution:

Dr. Fleming has long been working on studying the brain and psychology for most of his professional career and, through his efforts, has unlocked a number of incredible keys to overcoming any number of challenges. His customized one-on-one approach has helped thousands of clients from around the world improve their lives, overcome addictions, and become better people.

Dr. Fleming’s vast experience includes:

PhD trained with experience in not only addiction and clinical arenas but also corporate and executive development arenas.

Why Grey Matters International is Not Therapy, Rehab or Self-Help

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